Why are we testing Minuteman Missiles or ICBMs?

[Cleita]

Every now and then I have been jolted from my seat by what seems like an earthquake, yet there is no quake recorded. I live near Vandenberg AFB on the Central California Coast. So finally, they admitted on the news that Vandenberg is testing Minuteman Missiles:

http://www.strategic-air-command.com/missiles/Minuteman/Minuteman_Missile_Home_Page.htm

Why???? What is that idiot, Nazi Rumsfeld and his SS command up to???

[Worst Username Ever]

1. Don't all the branches of the military test their weapons?

:shrug:

[Cleita]

4. I suppose when they plan on using them.

I thought the ICBM's were mothballed. I was hoping someone with some military expertise could explain why to me?

[Worst Username Ever]

6. I don't think they have to plan on using them, they just need

to make sure they work in case they need to use them. I don't plan on using my smoke detectors but I still feel comfortable knowing they work, therefore I test them.

edited for clarity

[jayfish]

8. No, No, No,...

we will never, ever give up Excalibur. Mothballing is what we force others to do. For the good of the man-kind of course. :eyes:

Jay

EDITED TO INCLUDE IRREVERENT BUSHISM JOKE

[The Magistrate]

2. Munitions Deteriorate In Effectiveness Over Time, Ma'am

Periodic tests are necessary to determine full function remains.

[jayfish]

3. Because They Are Old...

and if we are going to use them we need to make sure they still work.

Jay

[Cleita]

5. This is what worries me.

Why would we be planning to use them?

[jayfish]

7. I'll Have To Defer That Question...

to the nit-wits in charge. Overall though, I don't think there is any immediate plans to use them. It's just normal testing.

Jay

[dr.strangelove]

9. Testing and using are very different?

If you are going to have weapons, you need to periodically test them to make sure they work. We test all launch vehicles on a rotating basis. This way if there is a problem, we can encounter it during a test rather than when the weapons may be needed.